How to travel the world and live a “normal” life This isn’t a travel blog that will tell you how to leave everything behind and follow the siren call of travel and I’m not a travel blogger who spends their entire life on the road or in the air. But what this blog will show you is how it is possible to cultivate a deep love of traveling the world, while also living a life that allows you to make those incredible memories. Travel stories and inspiration I want to share with my readers an appreciation for a country’s beauty beyond the buildings that line the streets — exploring a country’s vibrant culture and visiting with the people allows a much deeper connection while traveling. I collect memories, not countries I think my experience of living with local host families while studying as an exchange student taught me many lessons about how to get to know a culture through its people. I collect memories, not countries. Latest Stories 9 Fabulous Things To Do in St Petersburg, RussiaYou probably know that St. Petersburg is about museums, palaces, Pushkin and culture. That the White Nights, when the sun never goes down, is the best time to visit St. Petersburg.That its the emerging foodie destination. Did you know it is in Europe’s top 5 most visited tourist cities? And if you ask me, one of the most spectacular cities… Read moreRiads in Morocco: Why You Should Absolutely Stay In OneMorocco is home to almost 900 riads. Each one tells its story through unique hand-painted tiles, woven textiles, Berber rugs and exquisitely wood-carved columns and ceilings. To put it plain and simple, Riad is a traditional house. Translated as a “garden,” every Riad does have a lush garden and a courtyard. As well as a swimming pool, a hammam, guest… Read moreBarbados Travel Guide : Must See Sights of the IslandBarbados is perhaps the most popular island in the whole of the Caribbean, located in the southeastern region of the Lesser Antilles; read this Barbados travel guide to discover my favorite sights and activities . The island’s west coast is extremely popular with tourists thanks to its white sandy beaches, luscious green palm trees, crystal clear waters, perfectly presented resorts,… Read moreA Complete Guide to Istanbul Bazaars : What to Buy and How to BargainThe Grand Bazaar or Kapalicarsi as the locals call it ,is often thought to be a tourist trap but I think it couldn’t be further from the truth . Tourist traps from my experience, are tourist activities that stage the natural environment or experience but are in fact totally fake. Read moreLisbon Day Trip: Exploring the Moorish Castle in SintraMaybe because it has more history than all of the Sintra sights combined , maybe because it has the most authentic feel to it , less crowds and the true bird’s eye view for everything including Atlantic Ocean if you are lucky , visiting Moorish Castle in Sintra was one of the highlights of my Portugal trip . There is… Read moreIceland’s Golden Circle : a Perfect Day TripIceland’s Golden Circle is a tourist route that covers around 300 km in southern Iceland. It’s an extremely popular route that covers three of Iceland’s most popular attractions, but that’s certainly not all you’ll see. The three main attractions of Iceland’s Golden Circle are The Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir, Gulfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. The Great Geysir … Read moreVisiting Lenin’s MausoleumThe debate about the traditional funeral of Lenin has been going on since his death and continues. Many activists consider it inhuman to show off the deceased. Some ask for burial due to political convictions and the end of the Communism era. Read moreThe Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand, UzbekistanUlugh Beg Onservatory in Samarkand.The Ulugh Beg is probably my favorite medieval leader. Definitely the most impressive and admiring. Why? He is one of the leaders that went down in history not by the number of wars and conquered lands or erected mausoleums but by scientific discoveries. “Religions dissipate like fog, kingdoms vanish, but the works of scientists remain for… Read more